social welfare

The Department of Social Welfare is an active Philippine government agency whose mission is to help underprivileged children, families, the elderly, and the disabled in Tacloban City and the surrounding area. Volunteers can make a difference in the lives of these families through help with after school programs, adult education, computer training for teenagers and street children, and other valuable programs.

Eligibility:

Volunteers must have:

• English language fluency
• A desire to help the people of the Philippines
• Flexibility
• Self-motivation
• An openness to a new culture and a willingness to learn
• Willingness to live with a Filipino family

Pre-Departure Information: Before participants embark, they will be provided a pre-departure guide that includes important details about their experience abroad. In addition, participants may contact World Endeavors at any time prior to departure with questions.

After an airport pickup, volunteers are provided an orientation that will familiarize them with the city and the surrounding area, the Philippine culture, and the volunteer program. To make volunteers feel welcome, a traditional Philippine dinner will be prepared especially for volunteers the first evening. During the first week of classes, volunteers will collaborate with a local teacher to become familiar with the program, the children, and the curriculum.

Participants will stay with a local host family during their stay in the Philippines. A separate room will be offered to the participant. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn experientially about Philippine culture and family life. Participants can expect pleasant yet modest accommodations. Traditional Philippine food is served twice a day, in the morning and the evening.

Food: Authentic Philippine food is provided twice a day, in the morning and the evening.

Activities: In their free-time, participants can go to the beach, check their e-mail at an Internet Cafe, or explore nearby towns along the coast. Participants will also enjoy seeing the beauty of the local culture and environment through several exciting excursions including a Tour of Tacloban City, Tour of the Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Center, and a Visit to MacArthur Beach at Palo.

Tour of Tacloban City
Participants will enjoy seeing the sites of interest during a tour of Tacloban City. From the bustling market where you will find exotic seafood and produce to busy wharf along the San Juanico Strait, participants will begin to get a feel for the rhythm of Filipino life.

Tour of the Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Center
Leyte is the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, wife of the former dictator of the Philippines. During her husbands reign, she ordered a luxurious palatial residence and guest house to be built in the city. The residence was never slept in by her, but continues to captivate visitors to this day. It contains an amazing collection of antiquities from around the world.

Visit to MacArthur Beach at Palo
Palo, a seaside community south of Tacloban City, is home to MacArthur Beach. This beautiful resort named after General MacArthur, offers wonderful views of long sandy beaches and clear water.

Before you apply, please consider the following:

• Can you camp?
• Can you live without modern plumbing, hot water and electricity?
• Are you aware that most travelers to developing countries often experience illness at some point during their stay?
• Are you open enough to accept and respect a culture no matter how different it is from your first culture?
• Are you comfortable by yourself? As a volunteer or intern, at times you may feel isolated, particularly when you arrive in a village knowing no one.
• Are you hungry to learn? You'll learn a new language, a new culture, a new way of life.
• Can you handle culture shock? The moment you step off the plane you will be in a world where very little is familiar.
• Are you flexible? Developing countries are not as obsessed with time as the US or Europe. Often, schedules are ignored or appointments begin later than arranged. You may also encounter corruption in government officials and local administrators.

If you decide to experience the Philippines through one of our programs, you are opening the door to the possibility for a personally enriching and life-changing experience.

Not Included:

• Round-Trip airfare to the Philippines 
• Visa expenses and airport taxes 
• Personal expenses